Of Whispers and Daggers ✓ [TLRQ #2]

Chapter 57.3 - Leavi

Idyne pulls out her little glow charm as the door closes behind us. It sings very faintly, in the same childlike voice as my bracelet.

Aster steps into the lead. "It's going to be a long walk out of the city and back in. We need to keep up our pace." With that, he starts off at a clip, and I lengthen my stride to keep up. When we eventually hit the tunnel end, he turns back to us. "Swear to me you won't reveal the location of this tunnel or the words I say to anyone, so long as you live."

Riszev salutes from her head to her heart. "I swear it."

Frowning, the priestess does the same, and Riszev turns to the three guards to translate. They make the gesture, murmuring in their home tongue. I already know the location and the words—I can hear them over and over, humming loud above my head—but I swear too.

Aster nods and climbs up.

"What about me?" Idyne whines.

"Your word doesn't mean anything, witch. Now, put your light away."

Pouting, she does. Aster reaches the top of the ladder and looks down. "Be ready. There might be a scout out here."

He mutters the words already pounding in my ears. "Abrï agantar a'mraê, escatiris." The trapdoor shudders open, and snow dust drifts down the hole. Aster pokes his head out, hand ready with powder. I finger my dagger.

He climbs out and gestures at us. We hurry up the ladder, and Aster closes the trapdoor. Its deep voice still booms at me, and I stick close behind Riszev, not trusting my ears to hear danger. A waning full moon filters through the treetops, and we twist through the forest's gloom. Branches tangle my hair, and I hurriedly pull it up. One of the guards trips over a root, and her companion rights her.

A branch cracks.

Aster holds up his hand, and we all freeze. Night birds call to each other. In the distance, the voice of the trapdoor still hums faintly. The wind rustles through the trees.

Aster shifts course, and we follow him through the forest. Eventually, the thrum of the trapdoor fades. We make it to the edge of the woods, hovering among its cover. I lean against a tree, looking out. The ground flattens from here to the outer wall, and the wind blows gently over the grass. A road runs from the gate, which hangs crooked and open. Beyond its maw, the city lies dark.

"What are we waiting for?" Idyne whispers.

"If a scout gives us up here, we're done for," Aster answers.

"It looks clear to me."

He shakes his head. "It's the perfect watchpoint. Even the Kadranians can't be that dumb." His finger taps the tree bark. "Give me your light charm."

"What? No."

His heavy stare bears its full weight on her. "Give me the charm, Idyne."

She bristles. "I'm not your slave."